Mindaugas Petritis, founder of Coho, joins us to discuss the future of design and its crucial intersection with business. He shares his unconventional journey from hospitality to community building and entrepreneurship, emphasising the importance of authentic relationships and understanding the challenges designers face in aligning their work with business objectives.

We explore the evolution of Coho, from a fellowship to a platform focused on peer learning and unlocking hidden knowledge within organizations. Mindaugas also shares his insights on the evolving nature of work, the power of curated peer groups, and why more designers should consider the founder path.

The conversation delves into the impact of AI on the design landscape, the need for designers to develop broader skills like communication and critical thinking, and practical advice for aspiring design founders.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The future of work and the increasing importance of peer groups
• The benefits and challenges of designers becoming founders
• Bridging the gap between design and business objectives
• The impact of AI on the role of designers and the need for new skills
• Practical advice for building relationships within organisations

Takeaways:

• Building authentic relationships is crucial for career growth and understanding the business context.
• Designers can gain valuable business insights by proactively engaging with other departments.
• Peer groups offer a powerful way to navigate the changing work landscape and share knowledge.
• Designers should consider the founder's path and experiment with side projects.
• The future of design requires strong communication, critical thinking, and adaptability.
• Don't outsource your thinking to AI; focus on developing core skills.

Referenced Resources:

• Business Thinking for Designers by Ryan Rumsey

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:58 From Hospitality to Community Building

08:16 Understanding the Challenges of Designers

12:30 Transition from InVision to Coho

22:22 The Importance of Curated Peer Groups

29:16 The Future of Work and the Role of Coho

35:05 Designers as Founders

38:20 Challenges Faced by Growth Designers

48:23 The Impact of AI on Design

49:26 Developing Skills Beyond Design

59:47 Building Relationships and Collaboration

01:10:06 Advice for Designers Who Want to Be Founders

01:12:18 The Importance of Side Projects and Experimentation

01:14:38 The Role of Sales and Marketing in Entrepreneurship

01:18:03 Founder vs CEO: Understanding the Difference

01:26:34 If Not a Founder, Then a Restaurant Owner

01:27:44 The Books, Movies, and Profession That Inspire Mindaugas

Where to find Mindaugas:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindaugaspetrutis/

- Website: https://www.joincoho.com/

Co-hosts: Emmanuel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/

IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun/

Production by ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0/

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